A group of Democratic state legislators has introduced a package of bills designed to increase the number of low-income children who get breakfast in school and encourage the use of local produce in school cafeterias.
Supporters applauded the bills’ intent, but some expressed concerns about how they might be implemented and the potential cost to districts. Some also questioned a bill that would let a school deny meals to a child whose parents fail to pay their child’s lunch bill.
A bill requiring the state to encourage districts to offer breakfast, and specifically promote “Breakfast After the Bell” programs is based on surveys showing more students participate if breakfast is included in the school day than if they have to arrive early.
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